Coming up in our fabulous February issue is this lovely stitched skirt cover for a footstool in a pretty Colefax and Fowler fabric.

You don’t have to be a sewing whizz to make it – it’s made in just two pieces: a shaped top and a pleated skirt. Click here for the instructions. Adding fabric like this is a great way to co-ordinate mismatching furniture. Just choose a design to suit your room.

Happy stitching!!

This simple pleated design turns a plain stool into a bedroom feature.

If you’re still looking for last-minute Christmas presents that are thoughtful, unique and not mass-produced then don’t despair – there’s still time to order online. Lasso The Moon represent a selection of British designers who offer stylish ceramics, jewellery, toiletries and homewares. It’s a lovely website to browse through with wonderful gift ideas and stocking fillers and you won’t need to battle with other last-minute shoppers as you can click away from the comfort of your own home – perhaps with a mulled wine and mince pie in hand!

The coming of Christmas also welcomes the start of pomegranate season and as well as adding to dishes and festive drinks I found this lovely idea for using them as part of this decorative table arrangement.

It is really easy to make, simply place three candles on a plate or tray. Arrange pomegranates and pears around the candles then tuck in some leaves and foliage for a touch of greenery. Visit pomwonderful.com for more information and other pomegranate ideas.

I don’t if you’re like me, but when people ask me ‘What would you like for Christmas?’, I have been saying: ‘Well I don’t really need anything.’ My life is full – my family, my home, my work fill my life and I don’t really want to add much more to it.

But if you had to push me, I might be tempted to say a Hope and Greenwood hamper filled with Turkish delight, sugar mice and childhood sweets. Now that would do very nicely indeed!

Having spent half the year planning, shooting and producing our December and January issues, this weekend I really felt that the ‘real’ Christmas was just starting. I had a lovely weekend of local Sussex pre-Christmas events. Here here are a few snaps…

I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Lisa Stickley at Heals this week to preview her exclusive bed and bath collection. The designer has produced a colourful range of cheery prints on a splendid 200 thread count with fun bath towels to match. My favourites are the tree design called Champs-Élysées and Paint Palette (the colourful blobs!). So hot off the press it is yet to be photographed but in the meantime I love these sweet illustrations. Look out for them in store and online from February 2011.

Lovers of lettering and typography (or people who buy Christmas presents for them) need look no further. Aardvark is an artistic partnership based in St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, designing quirky prints with real homespun charm. They’re printed on a proper traditional letterpress in nearby Rye. Boat of Life has some great suggestions, and The Aardvark Manifesto is a good one too.

Much like the rest of the South East, I was stuck at home yesterday with our track impassable due to very deep snow and limited trains. I popped out about 3pm to take some photos. The sky was the most incredible grey and the beach was just shades of black and white. Beautiful in its own way but also ominous and moody…

I would love to see photos of where you live. You can post them on the facebook page.

I got a quick shopping fix on the way into work today and called into the new Cabbages & Roses store this morning. Located at No. 4 Avery Row, W1, this third stand-alone shop is filled with gorgeous home wares and fashion finds which are lovingly created in England and Wales. And, with Christmas wish-lists in mind, there are some beautiful present ideas too.

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